MANILA, Philippines — The National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) called on the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to suspend the proclamation of Kabataan Partylist (KPL) and revisit the pending disqualification case against Gabriela Women’s Partylist (GWP), citing what it described as a pattern linking former youth leaders to armed communist activity and unresolved sexual abuse allegations within partylist ranks.

In a statement, NTF-ELCAC Executive Director Undersecretary Ernesto C. Torres Jr. pointed to the death of Jhon Isidor “Dee” Supelanas, a former Kabataan Partylist spokesperson in Cebu, in an armed encounter in Kabankalan in April. Torres said Supelanas’ case is not an isolated incident, claiming it reflects a pattern wherein youth activists transition from legal political work to joining the New People’s Army (NPA).

“These are not speculative connections. They are supported by public tributes, social media records, and sworn testimonies from former insiders,” Torres said.

He also cited similar trajectories among former leaders of Gabriela Women’s Partylist, who were allegedly later identified as combatants in armed engagements.

Aside from alleged ties to armed struggle, Torres raised concern over sexual abuse allegations involving leaders of Kabataan Partylist, which he said span cases from 2023 to 2025. He noted that at least 20 individuals were reportedly affected, according to one of the complainants.

While Kabataan has previously issued statements condemning gender-based violence, Torres criticized the group for not acknowledging that some of the alleged perpetrators came from within their organization.

“The Commission on Elections cannot look away,” he said. “We urge the Commission to take a principled stance by urgently hearing the case filed against Kabataan Partylist and subsequently suspending its proclamation; and reviving the long-dormant disqualification proceedings against Gabriela Women’s Partylist.”

Torres clarified that the move should not be seen as suppression but as “due diligence” while allegations are investigated.

He added that the partylist system should not be exploited as “a backdoor for political radicalization” or “a shield behind which abuse festers unchecked.”

The NTF-ELCAC official called on leaders of Kabataan and Gabriela to publicly denounce the Communist Party of the Philippines–New People’s Army–National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF) and to address the cases of abuse “within your circles.”

“Show the public that your commitment to democracy includes transparency, not silence, when lives and rights are on the line,” he said.

The Commission on Elections has yet to respond to the task force’s appeal.